Philippians 1:12

...what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.

Paul was in prison, but he was rejoicing because his imprisonment had resulted in the spread of the gospel. What a tremendous example for so many of us who vacillate between self-centeredness and sacrificial living! How many of us would rejoice if our personal adversity had advanced God’s purposes among the nations?

Pray that we may live so close to Him that His concerns become ours. May it not be said of us that we cared more for personal comfort than for those for whom Christ died. Pray that we will see with His eyes.

Missionary Biography, Continued

by AL

“Would you consider going to India?” The letter from the Evangelical Friends Mission Board came as a shock. For some weeks Dr. Ezra DeVol and his family had been expecting to return to China. Now it seemed that because of the communist threat in China, all the missionaries still there were having to leave. But India? “Anywhere but India” was the first thought both Ezra and Frances had. They went into separate rooms to pray about the matter, and both received the same message from Isaiah 30:18-21, “This is the way, walk ye in it.” In obedience on February 12, 1949, they sailed for India and their new assignment.

After a year of Hindi study, they moved to Chhatarpur, assigned to work in the Christian Hospital. “We see so many pathetic cases,” Frances wrote home. “How much suffering could be spared with just soap and water!” The work was heavy as Dr. and Mrs. DeVol started a mobile public health service. They had to drive 110 miles round trip, combining medical work and evangelism, which they considered a priority. They knew that permanent change in people’s lives would never happen without a change of heart. Dr. DeVol wrote, “We want patients to see the love of God in us and not a coldly scientific health organization. So I frequently ask the Lord to help me smile at my patients!”